Telemann, GP :: Quartett d-Moll [Quartet in D minor] TWV 43:d1

If Telemann was regarded by his contemporaries as one of the greatest of all composers, his star, faced with the overwhelming presence of Bach and Handel, paled in the course of the 19th century to the verge of contempt. This assessment changed radically during the course of the last century. Through the systematic exploration of his music, Telemann, once considered purely an instrumental composer, has emerged into a highly cultivated, culturally well-connected and enormously versatile artistic personality who left an indelible mark on the musical life of his time. Again and again we discover an individual approach in his works that seems to abandon the musical conventions of his day, both large and small.

Georg Philipp Telemann s Tafelmusik (originally Musique de table) is one of the last, great examples of courtly table music. A collection of 18 chamber pieces for various ensembles - orchestral overtures, quartets, trio sonatas, and solo sonatas - arranged into 3 parts, it is perhaps Telemann's most celebrated collection. Barenreiter Urtext provides the second work of the second part of Tafelmusik in clear scholarly exactness: the Quartet in d minor for two flutes, recorder (or cello or bassoon), and continuo, here with both a realized keyboard accompaniment and a separate pull-out optional basso continuo for cello or other basso instrument in addition to the standard pull-out parts. Current standard performance practice most often finds the solo recorder part played on bassoon.